Dr Juffali, who was suffering from terminal cancer, did not attend the hearing. He died in Zurich, where he was receiving treatment, on Wednesday.

Christina Estrada arrives at the High Court in London earlier this monthCredit:
Paul Grover/Telegraph

If Dr Juffali had died before proceedings had been concluded, Ms Estrada’s three-year battle to claim the cash would have failed.

However, the settlement is now legally binding. High Court Family Division judge Mrs Justice Roberts had ordered the sum to be paid by 4pm on July 29 but this is likely be delayed while Dr Juffali’s affairs are put in order.

American-born Ms Estrada was said to be “devastated” at news of her former husband’s death. She and Dr Juffali, who was chairman of Saudi Arabia's EA Juffali and Brothers, met in 2000 and married soon afterwards.

Dr Juffali then decided to take another wife, a 25-year-old Lebanese model, and divorced Ms Estrada under Islamic law without her knowledge.

Christina Estrada attends a birthday party in Kensington in January this yearCredit:
Andy Barnes / FameFlynet.uk.com